It was so, so good to get back home today after a week and a half away. We had a wonderful time with dear friends and it was such a refreshing gift to have time away after a busy few months, but it’s always good to be HOME!

Here are pictures from our kitchen-cleaning adventures…

Cleaning in process

Oh how I love a clean kitchen sink!

Even though it’s not fall, I’m still slowly burning this delicious-smelling candle.

Tackling the refrigerator

And here were the 7 things I found to get rid of — a few clothing items and some other odds and ends.

How you do on Assignment #2? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.

32 Comments

My husband was surprised with what I got done with in the 15 minutes I used to clean my kitchen. I worked on my goals for the week and got a much needed letter written to my baby brother who is in boot camp. It feels great to cross things off my list. I’m already thinking about what I can plan for next week!

I was so excited I got around to cleaning my kitchen today! I cleared off all the counters and wiped everything down. And everything found it’s home again! Then my wonderful husband vacuumed and swept the kitchen and rugs for me since I’m still recovery from abdominal surgery.
I also cleared out the fridge.
I wasn’t able to get to my purse yesterday but was able to get up early this morning and tackle that as well.
I was able to throw out broken/missing pieces to items, magnets, old cosmetics, and old receipts and random papers.
And it was the first night I was able to straighten the kitchen, get jump start on lunches for the morning and wash dishes since my surgery. And to top it off I was able to relax with a cup of tea before bed! That hasn’t happened in ages.

First like to thank you for motivating me like yourself we will be moving this summer and this assignment and timing of it is perfect! Every morning I look for assignment of the day and cant wait to start, I am getting rid of more than 7 things a day, still not sure if I will be ready for the move after 30 days is up!!! I sure hope that I will get there

Hi I am a working mom from South Africa. I managed to clear my purse (bag we call it here). Tidy up the main living areas and set up goals. One of my priorities is to spend at least 15 minutes of one on one time with each of my two kids. Most of my tasks will be completed over the weekend but I am really looking forward to having an organised house.

Crystal,
I see that you use BLU APPLE ! I have them also and I LOVE it. What a great product and $$$ saver too ! (although fruit doesn’t last long in my house,but I’m not going to complain that my family eats so much of it. Enjoying the challenge. Have a great day .

I got rid of more than 7 things…more like 9! 🙂 But I’ll have “homework” this weekend because I work full time and have little time after supper. Kiddo has homework, bath and bedtime. So that leaves me with almost zero hours for housework at the end of my day.

Crystal, I love your cleaning posts…they are always so inspiring, as are all your posts! I hope that when you move you will still share pics so when can get a sneak peek into your new home. I just wanted to share something that I love in my kitchen: I bought a squishy mat from Marshalls to put on the floor in front of my sink. But then I went a step further and got an ugly black one (also a squishy mat or whatever the proper name is) from Walmart. Then my husband bought some cheap “rug gripper tape” (it’s the size/width of packing tape) from Walmart and then used it between the 2 mats so the ugly black one in underneath and hidden…I also had to cut the edges off the black one. But now it’s like I have one SUPER plush/thick squishy mat and the doubling up certainly makes a huge difference. 😛

My fridge has never looked better! I’m so glad I took the time to clean it out. It was also great to take the time to throw out the old expired stuff. I feel like it is a much fresher and safe fridge. Thanks!

Couldn’t help but notice you keep your fridge, well, a little more empty then we keep ours. Is this a money saving strategy for you? Would like some tips on this, being that we waste so much food in our household!

well i found way more than 7 things to get rid of in just the laundry that needed to be put away *cringe* i tackled the purse (i needed to switch purses anyway) as soon as i emptied my purse my cat jumped in it and went to sleep so i got a good laugh too 😀 a cleaner kitchen motivated me to get listing my buckets of stuff on ebay and turn in homework assignments early im pleased and motivated and cant wait to get going with todays 😀

My status report from day #2: Didn’t find out about this challenge until the evening and I was at work until midnight. When I got home, I did the 15-minute speed clean of the kitchen (got a surprising amount done!…. but my kitchen still needs more work) and got rid of the 7 things. As my fridge really wasn’t that bad, comparatively speaking, and is fairly empty and it was 1:30 in the morning by this point, I made the executive decision to skip the part about cleaning the fridge. 🙂

I’ve decided to sit down in the evening and write my 5 to 7 goals for the next day. It helps me to sit down in the morning and read what I have already planned to do. I also make sure to put in a goal or two concerning my classroom. Yesterday I planned to get rid of all unnecessary papers in my room and I felt so good when I left work today. Not only is my home getting in order, but my second home as well.

P.S. I have enlisted my one and two-year-olds and they like helping me clean up. My big boy finished his snack and threw away his trash, then put his dishes in the sink. I love it!

There’s something magical about Spring cleaning, isn’t it? While cleaning out the fridge, I used the fruit and veggies I found to make dehydrated treats for my small pets; guinea pigs, rabbit, and birds. These are great in a pinch when you might not have time to go to the market from fresh veggies for a day or so! I also find that my dogs love the dehydrated apple slices as well. Snacks for the whole house! Thanks for the tips, Crystal!

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